Get the Application Number, Upload the Plans, Pass Review and Close a Seminole County Permit
Seminole County uses two connected online systems. Building Permits Online handles the application number, fees, permit status and inspections. ePlan handles drawings, documents, reviewer comments and stamped plans.
This guide shows the correct order, county-versus-city jurisdiction, owner-builder office requirement, 11:30 PM inspection cutoff, flood and septic checks, impact-fee timing, final Engineering inspection and current 2026 permit-law changes.
Open the Correct Seminole County Service
Seminole County or a City Building Department?
Unincorporated Seminole County
Use the Seminole County Building Division when the parcel is outside an incorporated city and county jurisdiction is shown in the property or GIS record.
Inside an incorporated municipality
Properties inside Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford or Winter Springs may use the applicable city building office.
Do not use the mailing city as the only jurisdiction test.
Seminole County Building Division Phone, Email, Address and Hours
Match the Project to the Correct Seminole County Permit
Project |
Likely permit route |
Extra document or review to check |
|---|---|---|
New house, addition or major residential alteration |
Residential building permit |
Site plan, construction plans, zoning, energy, product approvals, septic or utility letter and impact fees. |
Residential reroof |
Residential reroof |
Reroof supplement, product approvals, contractor documents and solar-panel reinstallation where applicable. |
Window or exterior-door replacement |
Window / door permit |
Florida product approvals, opening information and installation details. |
Fence or wall |
Fence / wall permit |
Fence checklist, site plan, zoning setbacks, easements and pool-barrier rules. |
Swimming pool or enclosure |
Pool permit |
Pool Safety Act form, site plan, electrical bonding, barrier and septic separation. |
Generator installation |
Electrical / gas / fuel permit |
Site location, generator specifications, one-line diagram, load calculations and possible fuel-tank permit. |
Solar photovoltaic system |
Solar electrical permit |
Structural attachments, electrical plans, product details and reroof coordination. |
Shed, barn, deck, screen room, garage or carport |
Accessory-structure permit |
Zoning, setbacks, site plan, structural plans, flood and utility easements. |
Dock or boathouse |
Dock / boathouse permit |
Shoreline, environmental, flood, site-plan and waterbody approvals. |
Commercial alteration, tenant build-out or change of use |
Commercial building permit |
Approved site plan, fire, accessibility, occupancy, fixture counts, energy and concurrency. |
Apply for a Seminole County Permit in the Correct Order
Verify the property and Planning path
Confirm the parcel is in unincorporated Seminole County. Ask Planning about zoning, setbacks, site-plan approval, floodplain, utilities and use.
Confirm the contractor is current
The online application-number request requires the contractor’s license to be current in the county database.
Request an application number in Building Permits Online
Open Click2Gov and select Request Application Number. Enter the property, contractor, permit type and requested information.
Open the project in ePlan
Use ePlan to upload application documents, supporting documents and drawings. This is also where review comments and approved stamped documents are delivered.
Complete the Upload and Submit task
Uploading files alone may not release them to reviewers. Complete the assigned workflow task that tells the county the package is ready.
Answer each review agency separately
Use Plan Tracking Status in Click2Gov and review comments in ePlan. Open the agency name to see that reviewer’s result.
Pay and download the county-stamped set
Pay the permit, reinspection and applicable impact fees through the county payment portal. Download the stamped plans from ePlan before beginning construction.
Put Each PDF in the Correct ePlan Folder
Application Documents
- Permit application
- Property Appraiser legal printout or deed
- Permit Authorization Form
- Owner-Builder Statement when applicable
- Recorded Notice of Commencement
Documents
- Product approvals
- Energy calculations
- Gas-plan worksheet
- Septic or utility letters
- Supporting affidavits
- Response letter
Drawings
- Site plan
- Architectural plans
- Structural plans
- Electrical one-line diagram
- Plumbing or mechanical plans
- Details and calculations
Complete the Required Upload and Submit Task
Why this step matters
The county’s official tutorial explains how to complete the Building Division Upload and Submit task after the files are added.
A project can remain in the applicant’s workflow when documents were uploaded but the required task was not completed.
Who Can Apply and What Must Be Verified?
Licensed contractor
- License current in county database
- License Administration Form
- Workers’ compensation or exemption
- General liability insurance
- Seminole County listed as certificate holder
- Every subcontractor current before issuance
Registration packages may be sent by email, fax, ePlan task or delivered in person.
Owner-builder
- Owner personally appears at Building Division
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Affidavit signed in the office
- Direct onsite supervision
- Licensed trades verified
- Legal and financial responsibility accepted
An owner cannot complete the entire owner-builder setup only through the online portal.
Record the NOC Before the First Inspection When Required
General construction
The county permit guide lists a recorded Notice of Commencement when the job value is greater than $5,000.
A/C change-out
The county permit matrix uses a threshold of $15,000 or more for an air-conditioning change-out.
Submission timing
The recorded document must be provided before the first inspection. It can be uploaded during submittal or sent to Building customer service.
Resolve Site Plan, Zoning and Impact Fees Early
Site-plan approval
An approved site plan is required before issuance of a building permit when the project is subject to site-plan review.
The Development Review Committee reviews site plans involving at least 2,500 square feet of buildings and paving area.
Pre-application meeting
Commercial, multi-family and complicated site projects benefit from a Development Review Committee pre-application meeting before formal submittal.
Impact-fee statement
The county says a complete impact-fee statement application generally requires 5–7 business days to process.
Project condition |
Ask before final plans |
Responsible contact |
|---|---|---|
New commercial, institutional or multi-family project |
Is approved site plan or DRC review required before Building review? |
Planning & Zoning: 407-665-7371 |
New residential dwelling or additional units |
Which school, library, fire, mobility or utility impact fees apply? |
Development Services: 407-665-7371 |
Change of use from residential to commercial |
Is the use allowed, and what accessibility, fire, parking and site upgrades apply? |
Planning, Building and Fire |
Driveway, sidewalk, drainage or right-of-way work |
Is an Engineering or right-of-way utilization permit required? |
Engineering: 407-665-7373 |
Property Conditions That Can Change the Permit Package
Flood-prone property
A permit is required to verify that new construction in a Special Flood Hazard Area meets elevation and flood-protection requirements.
Flood information: 407-665-7335
floods@seminolecountyfl.gov
Drainage or site flooding
Public Works can discuss drainage, sewer and site-flooding problems and may provide a site review when appropriate.
Public Works flood help: 407-665-7373
pwflood@seminolecountyfl.gov
Private septic system
Projects not served by public sewer may require a Health Department septic contingency letter or septic permit before Building approval.
Show the septic location and required separation from pools, additions and accessory structures.
Public utilities
New buildings, additions and changes in use may need a utility-availability letter or confirmation of water and sewer capacity.
Dock or shoreline work
Docks, boathouses, seawalls and shoreline alteration can require additional Planning, flood, environmental or water-management review.
Generator fuel storage
A separate fuel-tank permit may apply based on tank type and capacity. Fire permitting applies to flammable and combustible-liquid storage.
Codes Listed by Seminole County
Florida Building Code
The county identifies the Florida Building Code, 8th Edition (2023), including Building, Residential, Plumbing, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Existing Building, Energy and Accessibility.
Electrical code
The adopted-code page lists the 2020 National Electrical Code, also known as NFPA 70.
Fire code
The county page lists the Florida Fire Prevention Code, 7th Edition, including Florida-amended NFPA 1 and NFPA 101.
Items Seminole County Says Are Commonly Missing
Common problem |
What to put in the plan package |
|---|---|
No approved site plan |
Provide the approved Seminole County site plan when the project requires one. |
Missing soils information |
Provide a signed and sealed geotechnical report for applicable new construction. |
Incomplete code analysis |
Identify occupancy, construction type, area, height and applicable code information. |
Missing plumbing-fixture calculation |
Show the required fixture counts for the proposed occupancy. |
No design loads |
State wind design and other structural design criteria on the drawings. |
Rated assembly details missing |
Identify approved wall, floor, ceiling and penetration assemblies. |
Accessibility information incomplete |
Show accessible route, parking, vertical access and restroom elevations. |
Product approvals incomplete or expired |
Use current approval numbers and complete the county Product Approval Form. |
Rooms are not labeled |
Label every room, storage space, equipment area and intended occupancy. |
Energy documents omitted |
Provide applicable energy calculations and required compliance forms. |
Schedule the Correct Inspection Before the 11:30 PM Cutoff
Open Schedule or Cancel Inspection
Use Building Permits Online and search using the application or permit number.
Select the permit discipline
Choose the Schedule link beside the building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or other permit that needs inspection.
Choose the available inspection type
Select the exact inspection from the county’s list. Do not schedule a final when rough or trade prerequisites remain open.
Submit by 11:30 PM for the next business day
Inspection requests and rescheduling must be entered online the previous day by 11:30 PM.
Keep approved documents on site
Have the permit, county-stamped plans, required affidavits and safe access ready. Do not conceal work before inspection.
Read the result before continuing
Use Inspection Status to confirm approval or read every correction before rescheduling.
Building inspections
Inspection hours:
7:30 AM–4:00 PM
Use the online system for scheduling and results.
Fire inspection
Leave a message with permit, address and contact information or use the county’s online fire-inspection route.
After-hours inspection
Submit the county request form at least two business days in advance. Approval depends on staff availability and advance payment.
Complete the Site Inspection Before Requesting the Building Final
When to submit
Submit the Final Engineering Inspection form after all site work is complete and before requesting the final building inspection.
What Engineering checks
- ADA sidewalk conditions
- Sidewalk, curb, sod and tree damage
- Right-of-way restoration
- Drainage and erosion
- Sod and conveyance swales
- Completed site improvements
What the Online Permit Status Means
Use the Current Invoice Instead of an Old Valuation Formula
Fee calculator
The county calculator provides an estimate only. Staff-calculated fees control the permit.
HB 803 fee change
Effective July 1, 2026, inspection fees must be based on the actual cost of providing inspections rather than the total construction cost.
The county says some common reroof, electrical-service and A/C change-out fees increased.
Online payment
Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted online. A convenience fee applies and is non-refundable.
Online payment is unavailable from 11:30 PM to 5:00 AM.
Read Seminole County’s HB 803 update
Find Permit History, Plans and Open Records
Search the property in Building Permits Online
Use the application or permit number when available. Review the application, plan tracking, fees, permit status and inspections separately.
Use the Building Public Request Portal
The county’s public portal can search permit records by permit type and date range.
Confirm the property ID
Compare the address, owner, parcel ID and legal description using the official Property Appraiser record.
Request unavailable permit files
Email BPPublicRecords@seminolecountyfl.gov with the property address, parcel ID and a clear description of the requested records.
Verify final status before a sale
A permit number does not prove that the project passed final inspection. Check every related building and trade permit.
How to Start Fixing an Open, Expired or Unpermitted Project
Collect the history
- Address and parcel ID
- Permit or application number
- Original scope
- Plans and inspection results
- Contractor information
- Current photographs
Ask the Building Division
- Is renewal or extension available?
- Which inspections remain open?
- Must concealed work be exposed?
- Are revised plans required?
- Are trade permits missing?
- What proves final closure?
Use the correct form
- Expired Permit Application Information
- Permit Extension Request
- Revision / Additional Information Form
- Owner / Builder Statement
- Public Records Request
- Violation Lookup
What to Say When You Contact Seminole County
“I am planning [exact work] at [address and parcel ID]. The property appears to be in unincorporated Seminole County. Which permit type, plans, Planning approvals, trade permits and inspections are required?”
“My application number is [number]. I uploaded files in ePlan, but the project has not moved to review. Can you confirm whether the Upload and Submit task is still assigned to me?”
“I uploaded a complete revised plan set and response letter for application [number]. Which review agencies still show outstanding comments?”
“Permit [number] at [address] does not appear final. Which building, trade, Fire or Engineering inspection remains incomplete?”
Do Not Consider the Project Finished Until These Are Complete
- County jurisdiction confirmed
- Planning and zoning cleared
- Correct application number obtained
- Contractor registration current
- ePlan task completed
- Review corrections resolved
- Impact fees paid
- NOC recorded when required
- Permit formally issued
- Stamped plans on site
- Building inspections passed
- Trade permits finaled
- Fire inspection completed
- Final Engineering inspection completed
- CO or Certificate of Completion obtained
- Final records saved for owner
Seminole County Building Division Map
Seminole County Building Permit Resources
Seminole County Building Permit FAQs
Where do I apply for a Seminole County building permit?
Start in Seminole County Building Permits Online to request an application number. After the record is created, use the county ePlan system to upload application documents, supporting documents and construction drawings.
Does Seminole County use Accela for building permits?
No. The county’s official workflow currently uses Click2Gov Building Permits Online for application numbers, fees, permit status and inspections, together with the ProjectDox ePlan system for plans, documents and review comments.
What are the Seminole County Building Division hours?
The Building Division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The last customer sign-in is at 4:30 PM, and the Building Division phone system closes at 4:45 PM.
How do I schedule a Seminole County building inspection?
Use Building Permits Online, select Schedule or Cancel Inspection, enter the application or permit number, choose the correct permit discipline and inspection type, and submit the request by 11:30 PM on the prior day for the next business day.
Must an owner-builder visit the Seminole County office?
Yes. Seminole County requires an owner-builder to personally appear at the Building Division with valid government-issued photo identification and sign the Owner-Builder Statement in the office.
When is a Notice of Commencement required?
The county permit matrix lists a recorded NOC for general jobs valued above $5,000 and for an air-conditioning change-out valued at $15,000 or more. It must be provided before the first inspection.
What time are Seminole County inspections performed?
The Building Division lists normal inspection hours between 7:30 AM and 4:00 PM. The exact route and arrival time depend on the inspector’s daily schedule.
Why are my uploaded ePlan files not being reviewed?
Uploading documents does not always complete the workflow. Check whether the Building Division Upload and Submit task is still assigned to you. Complete that task so the package is released to county intake and reviewers.
Is a Final Engineering inspection required before the building final?
Yes, for applicable building projects. Submit the Final Engineering Inspection form after site work is complete and before requesting the building final. Engineering checks right-of-way restoration, drainage, erosion, sod, sidewalks and related site conditions.
Does Florida’s new under-$7,500 rule mean no permit is required?
Not automatically. House Bill 803 created limited exemptions for certain qualifying projects under $7,500, but all statutory conditions must be satisfied. Review Seminole County’s official state-law update before beginning work.
Official Information Used for This Guide
Building-Department.org is an independent informational website and is not Seminole County Government. Applications, payments, reviews, inspections, exemptions, certificates and enforcement decisions must be completed through Seminole County or the correct municipal agency.
This page was checked against the Seminole County Building Division, Building Permits Online, ePlan, Forms and Applications, Building Division contacts, current adopted codes, permit-type matrix, owner-builder affidavit, generator submittal guide, inspection instructions, Final Engineering form, flood resources, impact-fee guidance and the county’s July 2026 state-law update.
Last reviewed: July 23, 2026.
Permit forms, statutory exemptions, fees, online systems and departmental procedures can change. Confirm time-sensitive requirements before paying, ordering professional plans or beginning construction.
Khushboo Bobade is a public records researcher and editorial writer specializing in government service documentation and construction permit systems.
Her research focuses on explaining building permits, inspection procedures, zoning regulations, and public permit records maintained by local government building departments across the United States.
Professional profile: View LinkedIn Profile
Check Permit Type, Estimate Fees, Prepare Inspections and Find Official Building Department Links
Use this free tool before applying for a building permit, booking an inspection, checking zoning rules, or searching permit records. It helps homeowners, contractors, landlords, buyers, and business owners understand the next step before visiting the official building department portal.
What building department task do you need help with?
Choose your goal. The tool will suggest the right next step, what to prepare, and which official page to check.
Before starting work, check whether your project needs building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, right-of-way, or HOA approval.
Many portals require contractor registration, license details, insurance, plans, owner authorization, and inspection scheduling access.
Building Permit Type Finder
Select the project type to understand which permits or reviews are commonly required. Always confirm with the official local building department.
Permit Fee Estimate Calculator
Estimate a rough permit fee using project value and common percentage-based review assumptions. Local minimum fees, technology fees, impact fees, reinspection fees, and trade fees can change the final amount.
Inspection Readiness Checklist
Use this before scheduling framing, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, roofing, final, or certificate-related inspections.
Zoning and Setback Pre-check
Use this before applying for a permit when your project may affect land use, setbacks, lot coverage, height, parking, signs, fences, accessory structures, or business use.
Plan Review Timeline Estimator
Estimate how complex your review may be. Local staffing, incomplete plans, corrections, holidays, fire review, zoning review, and outside agency review can change timing.
Permit Records Search Helper
Use this if you are trying to find old permits, inspection history, certificate of occupancy details, open permits, or code-related records.
Official Building Department Resource Finder
Enter city/county and state to create safe searches for official permit portals, inspection scheduling, building codes, zoning maps, forms, fees, and contact pages.
Building Department vs Planning/Zoning
- Building Department: permits, plan review, inspections, code compliance, certificates.
- Planning/Zoning: land use, setbacks, height, lot coverage, signs, parking, variances.
Best sitewide placement
Place this tool after the first main guide section or before FAQs. It turns a normal article into a practical permit-preparation page.
Important note
This tool gives educational guidance only. Final permit requirements, fees, inspections, forms, and deadlines must be confirmed with the official local building department.